Updraft: meaning, definitions and examples

air movement

An updraft is a current of air that moves upward, typically found in meteorological contexts. It is often associated with convection, where warm air rises due to being less dense than surrounding cooler air. Updrafts can significantly influence weather patterns and are crucial for the formation of clouds and storms.

ascending current, rising air, uplift

Examples of usage

• The strong updraft caused the hot air balloon to ascend quickly.

• Meteorologists study updrafts to predict storm development.

• Thermals provide the necessary updrafts for gliders to stay aloft.

• The updraft was powerful enough to lift debris from the ground.

• Birds often soar on updrafts to gain altitude effortlessly.